Adoption Services

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

LutheranFamilyService.org

We walk with you…

When you partner with Lutheran Family Service, you are partnering with a team of compassionate and experienced adoption professionals. As a fully licensed child-placing agency, we will walk with you on the entire journey and will be there for you every step of the way.

Leaders in adoption since 1901

Since 1901, Lutheran Family Service, a not-for-profit ministry, has been helping create family through adoption by matching thousands of children with their forever families.

Lutheran Family Service was first established as a mission of the church to help orphaned children find loving, Christian homes. Over the years, our programs evolved to meet the needs of not only orphans, but to also meet the needs of women experiencing crisis pregnancies, couples experiencing marital challenges, and individuals and families experiencing various life challenges.

Lutheran Family Service continues to hold true to our Christian foundation and principles and offers the following programs: Adoption Services, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Pregnancy Counseling, and Congregational Services.

Our Mission To walk with people who are experiencing hard times and to be there for them, just as God has been there for us.

Your Adoption Journey

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

LutheranFamilyService.org

Adoption Program Christian Foundation The Adoption Program at Lutheran Family Service is built on the belief that:

• All human life is precious in the sight of God.

• Every child has the right to grow in families where their emotional, developmental,

spiritual, and physical needs will be adequately met.

• Adding a child to a family by adoption is a valid means of creating a family.

• Adding a child to a family by adoption is unique in many ways, and special preparation

and planning must accompany the adoption process.

• Adoption is a unique, life-long experience for the adopting parents, the adopted child,

and the birth parents, that requires ongoing education, reflection, and participation in the

adoption process.

Adoption Options Through Lutheran Family Service Lutheran Family Service offers three types of Adoption Options to consider:

• Domestic Infant Adoption

• International Adoption

• Embryo Adoption

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

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Adoption Options in Detail Domestic Infant Adoption

Lutheran Family Service is licensed as a child-placing agency for the states of Iowa and Illinois and are currently able to work with families that reside in the state of Iowa as well as north and central Illinois. The primary type of adoption work by Lutheran Family Service is that of infant adoption.

Requirements Applicants must meet the requirements of their specific State Code regarding adoption as well as the following Lutheran Family Service requirements:

1. Must reside in Iowa or North/Central Illinois 2. Must be male/female couples married for at least three years 3. Must be active in a Christian congregation 4. Must be in good mental, emotional and physical health

Domestic Infant Adoption Costs Costs of the Domestic Infant Adoption program are determined on a slide-fee scale based on income. The fees range from $22,000 - $25,000. This includes the costs of social work, placement, and legal cost of termination of parental rights. Please see the fee sheet for a detailed explanation on page 12.

Selection Families are selected for the placement of an infant by the women we serve in our pregnancy counseling program using a profile book. The profile book is designed by the family to introduce themselves to a woman who is seriously considering placing her infant for adoption.

Once a woman becomes interested in a potential family, Lutheran Family Service will host a face-to-face match meeting with the group where the plan can be further explored. Lutheran Family Service remains a neutral party during the decision-making process. Lutheran Family Service does not make any guarantee of placement, or guarantee a placement within any given time frame.

Domestic Infant Adoption Program Options There are two program options to consider for Domestic Infant Adoption:

1. Tier-One Domestic Infant Adoption Program 2. Tier-Two Domestic Infant Adoption Program

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

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Tier-One Domestic Infant Adoption Program The Tier-One program allows adoptive parents to have their profile books shown first in all adoption opportunities that meet their requirements. Most Tier-One families work exclusively with Lutheran Family Service, as the fees for the program are pre-paid before a match is made. Working with other agencies is not prohibited, although families may find it more financially difficult to do so.

Tier-Two Domestic Infant Adoption Program Tier-Two program couples have their profile books shown when a woman does not find the “right” family in the Tier-One options, or there were no Tier-One options available for her particular need. Tier-Two families oftentimes have their home studies completed elsewhere. However, Lutheran Family Service can complete a home study if needed using our individual adoption service pricing found on page 11. The Tier-Two program allows families the financial flexibility of working with multiple agencies if they desire. The program fee for both Tier-One and Tier-Two are the same. However, Tier-One is largely paid in increments upfront and prior to the placement while Tier-Two is paid in increments following a match & placement. Details of the fee structure for both Tier-One & Tier-Two Domestic Infant Adoption Programs are outlined on the LFS Adoption Fee Sheets on page 13.

Helping Local Women & Infants In Need The Domestic Infant Adoption Program is supported through the Pregnancy Counseling Program offered by Lutheran Family Service. Pregnancy Counselors provide support to women throughout Iowa and North and Central Illinois who are going through a crisis pregnancy and considering parenting their baby or placing their baby for adoption. Women are never pressured to choose parenting or adoption. Lutheran Family Service counselors walk with them in their journey of seeking information, making a decision, and planning their life-affirming decision.

Positive and long-lasting relationships with schools, community professionals, medical providers and crisis pregnancy centers result in many referrals to Lutheran Family Service. The majority of women considering adoption today desire some openness with the adoptive family she selects. Openness can include pictures, texts, emails, letters,

visits and direct exchange of contact information. Lutheran Family Service seeks to help the prospective adoptive couple and birth parents to jointly design a level of ongoing openness that is comfortable and healthy for all parties. Honor, respect, neutrality and care are the pillars of our Pregnancy Counseling & Adoption Programs.

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

LutheranFamilyService.org

International Adoption Thousands of children of varying ages who live in orphanages around the world are waiting to be adopted by their forever family. Bringing one of these children into your family would change that child’s life, as well as the life of your family, forever.

Lutheran Family Service assists families with international adoption in partnership with placing agencies. Referrals can be given for agencies we know to be reputable, or you may select the placing agency yourselves. The partnering agency is responsible for the placement of the child in your family and the dossier preparation necessary for the country you select. Lutheran Family Service is responsible for your preparation before the adoption (home study) and support when you come home (post adoption).

International Adoption Costs On average, total costs of an international adoption will not be less than $25,000. The total costs of international adoption will depend on the partnering agency you select and the country requirements. You can expect to pay $2,600 to Lutheran Family Service for the pre-adoptive home study and at least $1,600 for post placement services (this will vary by country). Exact details are listed in the Fee Sheet on pages 11 & 12.

Embryo Adoption Lutheran Family Service is committed to supporting unborn children at all ages, including embryos! Embryos are created through a process called In Vitro Fertilization or IVF. It is estimated that there are over 600,000 frozen embryos in the U.S. today. Many of them would be available for donation, if there were couples willing to receive them.

Some couples experiencing infertility have chosen IVF. In that process, many embryos are created, but only a few of them may be implanted and born; thus, there are remaining frozen embryos suspended and frozen in time. Once families feel they are complete, they seek options for their remaining embryos so that they too may grow and be born. These embryos are not just potential life, they are life with potential. Embryo Adoption is a life affirming option for embryos that remain frozen from couples’ IVF procedures. Embryos are never created for the purpose of adoption.

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

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Lutheran Family Service provides couples with the pre-adoptive education and assessments needed to prepare for an embryo adoption. Through a partnership with Nightlight’s Snowflake Program, a match is made with a couple who has remaining embryos for donation. When a match is found, a legal process for property transfer occurs before the embryos are implanted. Many believe they would not be an ideal candidate for Embryo Adoption because of their own infertility. The truth is, only a healthy uterus is necessary, not a healthy cycle.

Embryo Adoption Costs Total costs for Embryo Adoption are estimated to range from $13,000 to $16,000. Lutheran Family Service collects the fee for a home study only, which is $2,600 and does include a single post-birth visit (see Fee Sheet on page 11).

Adoption Through Foster Care Lutheran Family Service does not offer a foster care program. However, foster care is an adoption option in some circumstances for some families. Foster care is a temporary home for a child with a caring family. The goal is to safely reunite these children with their birth families. However, in some situations, the courts decide reunification with the birth family will not be possible and then the child is legally available for adoption. Most every state has an ongoing need for foster and adoptive parents, especially those who are interested in caring for sibling groups, teenagers and children with significant needs. Depending upon which state you live in, becoming a Foster Parent does require a training course and licensing. There is typically no cost to become trained and licensed for foster care. More information on foster care can be found through your state or state foster care program website.

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

LutheranFamilyService.org

Adoption Affordability Adoption Fund Lutheran Family Service has created The Lutheran Family Service Adoption Fund to assist our families with adoption expenses.

The fund was created in partnership with LifeSong for Orphans, a like-minded organization, whose goals include mobilizing the church so each member can provide a unique and special service: some to adopt, some to care, and some to give.

While the fund provides some financial assistance, it also provides an opportunity for adopting families to involve others in fundraising for the adoption expenses to bring a child into their family. Unique fundraising ideas and an account where tax deductible donations for a specific family can be kept are all included. Involving others in the cost of an adoption gives them the opportunity to follow God’s word. He is calling all of us to care for the fatherless, not just those who are willing and able to parent them. Applications can only be obtained through Lutheran Family Service and are exclusively reserved for families working with Lutheran Family Service. Applicants must have a completed and approved home study in order to apply.

Tax Benefits Tax benefits for adopting families are two-fold and go a long way in making adoption affordable.

1. The federal tax credit is up to $13,810. If your tax burden is less than $13,810 in the year you file, you may carry the tax credit for an additional five years in order that you might receive the fullest benefit possible. If your adoption expenses were less than $13,810, you can only receive the credit up to the amount of your actual expenses.

2. Your state may offer a tax credit. In Iowa, the state credit amount is $5,000. This can be carried over into the following years to take advantage of the full $5,000 credit (assuming they have at least that much expense). In Illinois, the state credit amount is $1,000 to $5,000. Exact information can be obtained through your tax professional.

Those families adopting embryos may be eligible for a partial tax credit. The fees for a home study and post-placement services would be considered adoption expenses. The medical procedures and legal fees are not. Lutheran Family Service hopes you find this information helpful; however, we do not provide tax advice. Please consult and review the information with your tax professional as the laws can change frequently.

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

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Grant and Loan Opportunities

We encourage families to pursue grants through all possible organizations. Each organization will have their own set of rules. However, having a completed and approved home study will likely be one of the universal application requirements. Be prepared to be “home-study approved” prior to filling out grant applications.

James 1:27 Foundation http://www.thejames127foundation.org/

Show Hope https://showhope.org/

National Adoption Foundation https://www.fundyouradoption.org/adoption-grants/

Pathways for Little Feet https://pathwaysforlittlefeet.org/

Abba Fund https://www.abbafund.org/

Gift of Adoption Fund https://giftofadoption.org/

God’s Grace Adoption Ministry https://ggam.org/

America’s Christian Credit Union https://www.americaschristiancu.com/

His Kids Too! http://www.hiskidstoo.org/

Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministry http://www.kingdomkidsadoption.org/

A Child Waits https://www.achildwaits.org/

HelpUsAdopt.org https://www.helpusadopt.org/

Oxford Adoption Foundation http://www.oxfordadoption.com/

Brittany’s Hope Foundation https://www.brittanyshope.org/

HANDinHAND Christian Adoption https://www.handinhandadopt.org/

Katelyn’s Fund Orphan Ministry https://katelynsfund.org/

*Information and sites listed are subject to change. Organizations listed are not affiliated with Lutheran Family Service. Lutheran Family Service does not necessarily promote the same ideas or concepts. We encourage you to do your own additional research for other grant possibilities.

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

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Starting the Process Next Steps

Lutheran Family Service would love to explore the idea of adoption with you.

Simply complete the Adoption Registration Form. Then send in the completed form together with the non-refundable fee of $200 to Lutheran Family Service.

As a reminder, applicants must meet the requirements of their specific State Code regarding adoption as well as the following Lutheran Family Service requirements:

1. Must reside in Iowa or North/Central Illinois 2. Must be male/female couples married for at least three years 3. Must be active in a Christian congregation 4. Must be in good mental, emotional and physical health

Live in Iowa? Send to: Lutheran Family Service 6200 Aurora Ave., Suite 410W Urbandale, IA 50322

Live in Illinois? Send to: Lutheran Family Service 6200 Aurora Ave., Suite 410W Urbandale, IA 50322

After receiving and reviewing your registration form, you will be contacted by Lutheran Family Service to set up an orientation. At the orientation, we can cover the programs in greater detail, explore the various options and answer any additional questions you may have. Once a decision is reached about the type of adoption that best suits your needs, Lutheran Family Service will guide you through the next steps in the process.

Attending an orientation does not obligate a couple to enroll in a program nor assure acceptance into a program.

The Lutheran Family Service team looks forward to walking with you on your adoption journey!

A word of advice… Beyond any other advice we can give as adoption professionals is the advice to pray daily, together as a couple. Pray for your future child, their birth family, the fears you face, the finances you need, and for the peace that passes all understanding when you bring it to the Lord.

Philippians 4:13 • Matthew 19:26 • Proverbs 3:5-6 • James 1:27

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

LutheranFamilyService.org

FEES Adoption Fees are carefully considered. Fees help pay for licensing Lutheran Family Service as a Child Placing Agency in Iowa and Illinois and other states that we are called to serve. They also support our outreach programs to women experiencing unplanned pregnancies, crisis pregnancy centers, marketing and social media outreach to women experiencing unplanned pregnancies and couples interested in adoption, professional staff in adoption and pregnancy counseling, caseworker travel to birth mothers, administrative staff, our physical presence (rent) in several Iowa & Illinois communities, on-going training of our professional staff, and other agency expenses.

Lutheran Family Service attempts to make adoption as affordable as possible through the setting of our fees and The Lutheran Family Service Adoption Fund. Congregational and individual contributions are used in conjunction with fees collected to cover the additional expenses of the Pregnancy Counselling and Adoption Program at Lutheran Family Service. The information below gives specific details about Programs Fees (page 13) as well as adoption-related social work that can be purchased separately (pages 11 & 12). Fees are subject to change upon notification of our clients.

REGISTRATION: $200 Registration fees must accompany a registration form and are non-refundable. Registration fee applies to the adoption program as well as individually priced adoption social work applications. All new clients, regardless of the program or individual adoption service they are applying for, must register. All returning clients must register unless Lutheran Family Service has kept their home study valid through required home study updates. Registration initiates a consultation with an Adoption Caseworker.

INDIVIDUALLY PRICED ADOPTION SOCIAL WORK FEES MILEAGE: $0.58 per mile The current IRS mileage reimbursement amount is consulted when setting this fee. When options are available for a client to come to our offices, we will let the client know of that option. Lutheran Family Service attempts to send the nearest caseworker to a client; however, the timing of the client need may also necessitate sending a caseworker further away. It is the discretion of the Director to determine the most effective way to assign the work. Clients enrolled in Domestic Adoption Tier-One Program are exempt from mileage fees.

HOME STUDY – PRE-ADOPTIVE INVESTIGATION: $2,600 Individual, non-program price Domestic, international (some exceptions), and embryo adoption home studies can be provided. The payment of fees does not guarantee the approval of the applicants to adopt.

Included are state-specific Criminal Background Checks, Sex Offender Checks, Adoption Caseworker visits (at least three during the process and one in the year following), Interviews for each applicant and all members of the household, and up to five original home study investigation reports with proper signatures and notarization as necessary. For Embryo Adoption Clients, one post-birth visit with report is included with the home study fee.

Not Included are FBI fingerprint fees, child abuse investigation fees outside of your state of residence, Hague Education requirements (international only), specialists fees if required including physician fees, mileage of the caseworkers, travel costs for the clients, books or other educational materials.

Payment of a $1,300 fee is due to begin the home study process and is non-refundable. The other half ($1,300) is due at the completion of the home study and before it will be released. If applicants withdraw from the home study process prior to its conclusion, it is up to the Director to individually determine if the remaining $1,300 will be collected dependent on the percentage of work completed prior to the withdraw request.

Note about Post Adoption for International Adoption Clients. Post Adoption fees will be collected prior to the release of a home study document. The pre-paid post adoption fees are 100% refundable should the applicant withdraw from the international adoption process.

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

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HOME STUDY UPDATE: $600 Individual, non-program price Home studies are typically valid for 24 months, if signed Feb. 1, 2015 or after and 12 months if signed before that date. They must be updated within that time frame or they expire. Included is the cost of state-specific Criminal Investigation Checks, Sex Offender Checks, Child Abuse Checks, a visit from the caseworker during the update and a visit from the caseworker within the year following, and up to five original home study update reports signed and notarized as is necessary. Not Included is the cost of caseworker mileage, costs of any specialists required including physicians, cost of any FBI fingerprint checks necessary. Payment of Fees is billed and due at the time the request is made for the update. The fee is non fundable. Payment of fees does not guarantee an approved home study update.

AMENDMENT OR ADDENDUMS – NO VISIT: $200 Individual, non-program price

AMENDMENT OR ADDENDUMS – WITH VISIT: $350 Individual, non-program price Amendments or addendums are occasionally needed due to family changes. An Adoption Caseworker may or may not be required to come to your home based on the type of change that is occurring. Included is the written report with the necessary changes and up to five original reports with signatures and notarization as necessary. Not Included is any specialist fees including physician fees or caseworker mileage fees. Payment of Fees is due at the time the amendment or addendum is requested. The fees are not refundable.

POST PLACEMENT SUPERVISION: $1,600 Individual, non-program price A minimum of three post adoption visits with reports are required for all children regardless of their country of origin. Included are three visits from Adoption Caseworkers with written reports for each visit with recommendations for continued supervision, removal of a child or a finalization of adoption. Additionally, referrals for special assistance can be given. Not Included is caseworker mileage or the fees for a specialist or physician that could be recommended. Note about Post Adoption for International Adoption Clients. Post Adoption fees will be collected prior to the release of a home study document. The pre-paid post adoption fees are 100% refundable should the applicant withdraw from the international adoption process. Mileage fees will be paid at the time they are incurred. Domestic client fees will be billed the time post adoption supervision is requested. Payment for fees is required before the post adoption documents will be released. Post adoption fees are not refundable for domestic clients. Mileage will be billed at the time it is incurred for these post adoption visits.

EXTENDED POST ADOPTION SUPERVISION: $350 Individual, non-program price If post adoption visits and reports are required beyond the initial three, each additional visit with report is subject to this fee. Included is the adoption caseworker visit with a written report including recommendations. Additionally, referrals for specialized services may be included. Not Included are fees for specialists that may be recommended including physicians, and caseworker mileage. Note about Post Adoption for International Adoption Clients. Post Adoption fees will be collected prior to the release of a home study document. The pre-paid post adoption fees are 100% refundable should the applicant withdraw from the international adoption process. Mileage fees will be paid at the time they are incurred. Domestic client fees will be billed at the time post adoption supervision is requested. Payment for fees is required before the post adoption documents will be released. Post adoption fees are not refundable for domestic clients. Mileage will be billed at the time it is incurred for these post adoption visits.

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Iowa – 515.251.4900 Illinois – 563.359.0696

LutheranFamilyService.org

DOMESTIC INFANT ADOPTION PROGRAM FEES TIER-ONE DOMESTIC PROGRAM: $22,000 – $25,000 Gross Family Income (GFI) of $70,000 and up will pay $25,000. GFI of $56,000 and below will pay $22,000. GFI between $56,000 and $70,000 will pay 36% of their GFI. This program is designed to be financially all inclusive with very few exceptions. See program description on pages 4 & 5.

Program Includes training, education, caseworker mileage, a completed home study, home study update reports, caseworker visits annually prior to placement, child abuse and criminal investigations costs, addendums, amendments, post adoption support & reporting, profile book advice, placement of an infant, (not guaranteed), termination of parental right legal fees (up to $3,000), ongoing birth parent counseling, match meetings, ongoing support with birthparent relationship, and a child study report, coordination with an attorney of the client’s selection for finalization of adoption.

Not included in this program are profile book printing fees, FBI criminal investigation fees, additional books or training materials, cost of applicant’s travel, legal fees beyond $3,000 for termination of parental rights, legal fees for the finalization of adoption, birthparent expenses or other specialist fees.

Payment of Fees $3,000 is billed and is due at the time of acceptance into the program. Half (1/2) of the remaining balance is due at the completion of an approved home study. The remaining balance is due 9 months following the completion of the home study or upon placement, whichever is shorter. All but $8,500 is refundable to a client if they withdraw after the completion of a home study and nothing is refundable if the client withdraws prior to the completion of the home study. Payment of fees does not guarantee approved home studies or home study updates nor the placement of a child.

TIER-TWO DOMESTIC PROGRAM: See program description on pages 4 & 5.

Domestic Tier Two Education / Enrollment Fee $500 Payment of this fee is required upon acceptance into the program. Applicants who are completing a home study through Lutheran Family Service (using our individual pricing found on page 10) are exempt from paying this fee in lieu of paying the home study fee. Included in this fee is the cost of education for the applicants in an orientation and the acquisition of home study documents from their provider.

Domestic Tier Two Program Fee $22,000—$25,000 The program description is found on pages 4 & 5. *does not include discount

Gross Family Income (GFI) of $70,000 and up will pay $25,000. GFI of $56,000 and below will pay $22,000. GFI between $56,000 and $70,000 will pay 36% of their GFI. Please note, applicants to this program will either be using an outside source for their home study and home study updates or they will be paying Lutheran Family Service through individual pricing. *Due to receiving these social work services outside of the program, each family can reduce the stated Tier Two Program fees by $2,600.

Program Includes ongoing pregnancy counseling, match meetings, assistance with birth parent relationship, termination of parental rights legal fees up to $3,000, caseworker mileage, placement of the child (not guaranteed), post adoption support and reports, coordination with client’s attorney for the finalization of adoption, and a child study report.

Not included in this program are legal fees for termination of parental rights beyond $3,000, therapy or other specialist services, printing costs for profile books, legal fees for the finalization of adoption or any birth parent expenses.

Payment of Fees $8,500 is billed and due at the time a match is made with a pregnancy counseling client, which is not refundable. If the match does not result in a finalized adoption, the $8,500 will be put towards another adoption opportunity at LFS, but will not be refunded even upon withdraw from the program.

Half of the remaining balance is due when a child is placed in the home and the remaining balance is then due before the finalization of adoption, which is typically six months following the placement. These two payments would be refundable if the placement did not result in a finalized adoption.